The KTM 500 EXC-F mods have finished! Here's a whole-bike overview.

Many hours went into making this KTM 500 EXC-F my own.
It was designed to be an ADV-lite bike.
Bits I've put on include:
Enduro Windscreen, by Bajaworx
XL80 LED lights, by Baja Designs
AXIS steering damper, by MSC Moto
Headlight surround and Supermount, by Moto Minded
Handguards, by Highway Dirt Bikes
Hand grip heating elements, by Heat Demon
Pivot Pegz Mk3 footpegs
Footpeg extensions, by CJD
Brake and gear shift levers, by Hammerhead
Carbon fibre bashplate and header pipe guard, by P3 Carbon
Wider & softer seat, by Seat Concepts

[@SpecterMoto]

Thanks for your videos sir, I just picked up a 2018 and I’ve been watching all your how to videos

[@Howling-Mad-Murdock]

Some really good ideas and products here. I had pretty much decided to sell my exc450 and buy something like a Triumph Tiger, mainly because I have to do a fair amount of road miles to get to some decent off-road and the exc is miserable after a while on the road. I’m going to give some of your mods a go, because I know a bike like the Tiger is going to be horribly compromised off-road, and I do love the exc off-road. Thanks for sharing.

[@1CTDualSport]

Great build. Doing same and this is very helpful!

[@nzrian2545]

nice job on the build, i am picking up a new 2019 next week and will do a very similar build to yours i think.

[@ioannouandreas4]

Great bike! Great job! Looks awsome.

[@craig0s]

Great job Keith!

[@emildepaus5818]

Amazing !!

[@markdaniels5891]

Nice build, Baja is pronounced Baha, a J in Spanish is , sounds as a H, like haha, like the wind screen very clean.

[@coresurf22]

BahJah (Rasta) BaaaHaaa 😂

[@crashedking1931]

Sir thanks for the video what year is that beauty.

[@keithjob]

2019. Thanks!

[@reinierdegeus2834]

Hi Keith, beautiful project. Can I ask for a favor and can you please show details on the HDB Top and Lower Clamps you used. I am planing project with a 2015KTM 450 EXC-F I just bought. Thanks so much.

[@allenfong720]

Who makes the black covers on the sides of the tank seem to direct air flow from rad around the tank... looks clean

[@keithjob]

the covers are standard KTM 500 EXC tank shrouds, bolted to the IMS tank.

[@allenfong720]

@@keithjob hmm, they didn't come with my 2017 exc-f-500

[@NorthEastDirt]

@@allenfong720 what u are seeing is the oversized tank. It goes all that way forward

[@calebrogersss2388]

have you turned it into an adventure bike??

[@maxlizardi8950]

What’s that cable attached to the rear break?

[@keithjob]

It's called a brake snake. stops the brake lever from being bent back or broken off if I hit a log/rock.

[@khronus79]

How much does the bike weight now, with a full tank of gas???

[@simonhantler8062]

what range do you get from the tank? cushdrive?

[@keithjob]

About 350 km normal riding. No cush drive.

[@Vdubin4741]

What windscreen is that from Bajaworx?

[@keithjob]

It's their Enduro windscreen.. www.bajaworx.com/ktm-enduro-windshield.html

[@seanstory7381]

Is there an Australian supplier for the Bajaworx screen

[@ReggievolAtienza]

I like the handguard with integrated side mirror most..where can i avail like that..??

[@keithjob]

They are from www.highwaydirtbikes.com

[@kingcrumpet]

Hey mate, does the 17L tank make the bike noticeably wider at the radiator shrouds compared to stock?

[@keithjob]

The shrouds sit on the outside of the tank, so the difference is the width of the tank at that point - about 50mm each side I'd guess. So yes, it's wider, but it's kind of "hidden" by the shrouds. And it's not in the way of anything at that point.

[@kingcrumpet]

@@keithjob Brilliant thanks mate. Seems like a worthwhile trade off for the greater fuel range.

[@gnarlybadger690]

Cracking build

[@ivanwilliams7679]

Here's some stuff you didn't do. Protect the bottoms of the forks protect swing arm tabs relocate ignition switch add a brake snake. Shall I go on get thorough I like your tip about the charger though

[@aidenmoore8671]

G'day Keith, ever thought about putting a keyed ignition on it? Looking at getting a '21 500 myself and the keyless ignition still bugs me to this day, as my current '07 450 is keyless as well. I understand they're a race oriented bike and most, if not all brands are keyless these days, I'm just paranoid about it a little

[@keithjob]

I looked at these and decided it wasn't worth it, for my type of bike use. From memory they basically just open or close a wire somewhere behind the dash, kind of a keyed kill-switch. Easily bypassed. I'd prefer a decent chain and lock. Of course it depends where and how you ride it.

[@aidenmoore8671]

Ah yep, didn't really consider it to be super easy to bypass. Was mainly thinking about it as I can't do much with chains in my garage since it's a rental property, so thought it would be the next best thing along with an alarmed disk lock etc. Don't really trust many Sydney-siders with new bikes these days haha. Cheers for the input

[@rusti7447]

I recently picked up a new 500 excf. Came from a 690. Noticed the 500 vibrates so much more. Have you done anything to reduce vibrations?

[@francisbarbotin]

I have the same bike and really it’s my second ktm and I’m beyond disappointed in their tachometer BOTH enduro-r and EXC For the $$ they ask they should set you up the way this guy here as his setup. The stock bike comes with a tangle of wires all loose under the flimsy front fairing. BRAVO KTM

[@mooang17]

Love your vids Keith, what are your thoughts on Cush Hubs??

[@keithjob]

Never ridden a 500 with one, so can't compare. Only bigger bikes. I would like to try one to see if I could feel a difference.

[@mullaway5746]

Why no front blinkers ?

[@keithjob]

They are there, strip LEDs mounted on the hand guard bars. Check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/b56qeZuCp7KgeKc for details...

[@botchla90393]

What tyres are you using for your adventure rides ?

[@keithjob]

I use Pirelli Scorpion Rally front. The Bridgestone X30 mid-hard is an excellent rear, but not as hard wearing as the Dunlop D606.

[@JCKloppers]

Do you have a link for the complete kit/parts for the steering dampener ? I want to buy a dampener for my 500. Scott kit is $1000 ! Yikes

[@keithjob]

www.mscmoto.com/ktm-exc-all-du-2012-16 I had the bottom mount and risers anodised. They come in plain aluminium.

[@غانمالتميمي-ظ1ح]

KTM 500 EXCF 2019 👍👍👍♥️😍😘🙏💰

[@patrickclewis2704]

Is your bar mounts with rubber or solid?

[@keithjob]

Solid

[@ncldwell]

How do find the seat height? Have you made any adjustments?

[@keithjob]

Standard height, Seat Concepts seat. I'm 181cm (5" 10') tall and like the height as-is.

[@mikeweeks1329]

Hi, Keith. Love this video. About to start my build. Do you still like the hand guards with integrated mirrors? I like the idea a lot but wonder how well they really work?

[@keithjob]

I love them. They work well enough for me.

[@mikeweeks1329]

Thank you for the reply! I will order today

[@lerouxcraven5219]

Very nice build Keith! I am currently upgrading my 500 exc and was wondering about few things: Does the windscreen actually make a difference while doing highways - it doesn't look all that big... Would the windscreen fit on a OEM plastic screen or do you need to replace the whole thing (I'm not planning on fitting a XL80)? Last question, do you have the links/parts for the HWD dash upgrade? TIA

[@keithjob]

the windscreen will fit, it's just the supermount makes it far more stable because it's solid. For the dash check out the HDB site.

[@marnev5245]

Already subscribed 🤗 Nice build! Picking up my 2020 EXC-F next sunday. Unfortunately here in Germany we do have to cover a lot of km‘s on tarmac, before we can have access to more-or-less legally rideable terrain. So finally my new lady will look similar to yours. What is your opinion about the seat? Regards, Martin

[@keithjob]

The standard seat SUCKS if you need to sit down for more than about an hour. You say you are going to do tarmac - then ditch the seat. Get a Fisher or Seat Concepts or find a local upholsterer to make you a new one. See my comments in this vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4LOoXyCir5smKM

[@paulpence8895]

So where do I sign up for the give away???

[@keithjob]

Aaaaaaahhh yeah. maybe in 200,000+ subscribers' time ;-)

[@JCKloppers]

What luggage will you use ?

[@keithjob]

Mosko Reckless 40 system. For day trips Giant Loop Mojave which are big enough for some tools and tubes. Sounds like a topic for another video!

[@JCKloppers]

@@keithjob I had the Reckless 40, caused a lot of damage to my plastics! also too small to carry anything meaningful. the inner bags of the Mosko R40s also gets very dirty. I use the the Kriega OS-Base bags now... 18litre each side, great bags! i

[@keithjob]

Yes I've agree about the plastics.... One ride and they are wrecked. Luckily they are cheap to replace. I've put the OEM ones away already and put some aftermarket ones on. Re. Size, I just reckon the more space you have the more crap you take. The 40's force you to be ruthless. I will put a larger top bag on if I need more space for camping. But a 4 day ride with pub stays, the R40's are fine.

[@The333]

Excellent stuff, Keith. I am interested in starting some off-road, adventure riding. Do you thing that the KTM 500 EXC is a good first bike for this? (I am about 5'8" - 170 lbs).

[@keithjob]

It is a fairly tall bike... perhaps check out the low seat option. But for the overall weight (or lack thereof) of the bike I don't think you can beat it.

[@garykrygsman1391]

Great setup! How many kms are you getting out of 17l tank?

[@keithjob]

Bike is getting between 21-23 km/L every tank so theoretical range of 360-390km.

[@motoodysseyaustralia3352]

Hi Keith, great build! What gearing are/will you run on this?

[@keithjob]

Usually 14/50. Will go 15/50 if open terrain, or 13/50 for real tight single track trail rides.

[@motoodysseyaustralia3352]

@@keithjob yeah ok, I was wondering if u may've even gone higher for the open longer stuff. Cheers mate 👍

[@ivanwilliams7679]

Oh and I built an aluminum head pipe guard

[@tombobtail7706]

Those force radiator guards are garbage, Ive seen two sets swing back on impact and cut the coolant hose and damage the thermostat. I have the Ballards ones on mine and they are fantastic and far better quality. Should have bought a vortex ignition to stop flame out. I flamed mine out every ride on map 2 until I got that.

[@goodboyringo9716]

First , as soon as I seen the windshield , I was like .... what is that for ggg ? Who needs a windshield on a dirt bike ? That is the first one I have ever seen in my live.

[@keithjob]

depends where you live and what riding you do. In summer for day rides I will take it off - easy enough to do. But at the moment it is winter so the screen provides some protection.